US Speedskating coach Shimabukuro resigns

Jared S. Hopkins, Tribune reporter

US Speedskating national long-track coach Ryan Shimabukuro has stepped down, creating yet another vacancy in the sport's national governing body after its worst Olympic performance in 30 years in Sochi.

Shimabukuro, a former speedskater from Hawaii, began coaching in 1998, and became the long-track head coach for its national team after the 2002 Winter Olympics. He has coached skaters to 195 international medals, including four Olympic medals and three World Sprint titles.

“While this is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, I am proud to have contributed to the organization's tradition of excellence," Shimabukuro said in a statement. "It’s my sincere hope that one day I will return to this organization, but for now, I’m very excited about what the near future holds for me.”

Shimabukuro is the latest figure to exit the Salt Lake City-based organization after its long-track skaters failed to win a medal in the Sochi Olympics. Finn Halvorsen left as high-performance director and Kip Carpenter stepped down as national all-around coach. On the short-track side, Stephen Gough declined to return as head national team coach.

Executive director Ted Morris said last week that the staff changes are not a "cleaning of the house," but rather reflective of typical changes after an Olympics.